Truck accidents caused by distracted driving have the potential to cause a significant amount of damage, but injuries from truck accidents tend to be even more severe than other accidents. Trucks are incredibly large, heavy, and capable of high speeds. As a result, a distracted driver’s momentary inattention to the road could have disastrous consequences.
Distracted driving truck accidents in Austin may have caused you serious injury. Fortunately, a skilled tractor trailer collision litigator is ready to help you seek financial recovery from the negligent parties.
Distracted Truck Drivers
Many truck drivers work incredibly long hours, but when distractions are added to the equation, the consequences can be extremely negative for other drivers. Truck drivers face distractions such as the following:
- Eating and drinking
- Social media use
- Using GPS and maps to make deliveries
- Listening to music or watching videos
- Texting, talking, or using apps on the phone
- Dealing with pets
- Looking at roadside distractions such as police lights or another crash
The potential to be distracted while operating a commercial vehicle is high. Unfortunately, even a momentary distraction can lead to an extremely serious accident.
Injuries From Distracted Truck Driving Accidents
As experienced Austin attorneys know, some injuries that can come from distracted truck driving accidents include:
While other injuries are also certainly possible, this demonstrates the type of serious harm that can result from a distracted truck driver. This type of negligence is not only dangerous, but it could result in liability for the truck driver.
Liability in Truck Driving Accidents
When a truck driver is distracted and causes an accident, liability for the injuries they cause may belong to a few different parties. The distracted driver is responsible for their actions, and likely the resulting harm. A plaintiff must prove in court that the driver’s distraction constituted negligence and that the negligence was the cause of the accident.
The truck operator may not be the only party at fault for a collision. Truck companies could also be liable for their distracted drivers. When the driver was in the course and scope of their employment at the time of the accident, the trucking company may be responsible for the plaintiff’s damages.
Statute of Limitations
In order to win a claim, it must be filed in time. Most injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident, per
Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003. Cases against the government are limited to six months if the truck driver was employed by a government agency. A
seasoned attorney could help get the case filed in time if brought to before the deadline passes.
An Attorney Could Help with Distracted Truck Driving Accidents in Austin
Distracted truck drivers are a major hazard to others on the roadway. Texas drivers injured by these negligent defendants deserve to have their case considered and compensation sought.
Distracted driving truck accidents in Austin deserve the skillful representation of knowledgeable counsel.
Contact the firm today.